Both times I visited the Juice Kitchen, 1617 W. North Avenue, there was a steady stream of customers, forming a line most of the time. But everyone I spoke with seemed to agree -- it is worth the wait.
The Juice Kitchen is part of a new healthy food development in the Lindsay Heights neighborhood -- the Innovation and Wellness Commons -- led by nonprofit organization Walnut Way Conservation Corp.
The juice bar occupies the front part of a formerly vacant building, which has been extensively and sustainably rennovated, and offers a menu of whole food fresh juices and smoothies.
On the other side is an Outpost Natural Foods mini-store, a commercial kitchen operated by the Milwaukee Center for Independence, and upstairs, the administrative offices for Fondy Food Center.
Both times I visited the Juice Kitchen, 1617 W. North Avenue, there was a steady stream of customers, forming a line most of the time. But everyone I spoke with seemed to agree -- it is worth the wait.
The Juice Kitchen is part of a new healthy food development in the Lindsay Heights neighborhood -- the Innovation and Wellness Commons -- led by nonprofit organization Walnut Way Conservation Corp.
The juice bar occupies the front part of a formerly vacant building, which has been extensively and sustainably rennovated, and offers a menu of whole food fresh juices and smoothies.
On the other side is an Outpost Natural Foods mini-store, a commercial kitchen operated by the Milwaukee Center for Independence, and upstairs, the administrative offices for Fondy Food Center.
The development represents a broad community partnership, said Walnut Way Co-Founder Sharon Adams.
"We went through a process of inviting business, neighbors, interested parties to form a partnership," Adams said. "As we looked,we needed to create a food hub. And this is a food hub."
Since Walnut Way formed 15 years ago, Adams said her vision has always been to restore North Avenue to the commercial corridor she, a nearly lifelong resident, witnessed in her childhood.
"The point is that in any vibrant community, you have choices. And we just didn't have enough choices."
With Phase I of the project complete, the focus now turns to the second phase. Plans are being developed for a new-construction community health project on site of a nearby parking lot, Adams said.
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